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Hearing loss is something that a lot of people face on a daily basis. Both adults and children are being affected by hearing loss. It is essential that the hearing aid would be properly cared for and maintained. You should be able to know how to keep it clean, and store it in a place that will keep it away from dirt and moisture. The device, although little, could be a big investment, especially since you have to know how to maintain it.

Together with installation, there needs to be the right care and maintenance in order to extend your hearing aid’s life and keep it working at its optimum. Your device is like an investment.

The right care can keep your investment safe and sound. Experts in the health field advise that you should take good care of the shell, microphone, and receiver. Repairs will be prevented if you know how to store, clean, and maintain your hearing aid. The shell needs to be cleaned on the surface of the hearing aid. Hearing aids will have wax build up in the area where the shell bends. Dirt or oil will be found behind the ear aids. There is a possibility that the hearing aid won’t fit or work properly if it is not taken cared of the right way. You should avoid water and chemical cleaners on your hearing aid. It is better to use a damp tissue or cloth to clean them.

When there are sounds that are scratchy, distorted, or static, it could mean that the batteries are starting to fail. In order to properly take care of your battery, it would need to have a daily or weekly testing. This is because some batteries could just last a week or two. It is advisable that you bring a spare battery for your hearing aid which should also be kept in a cool and dry place.

There is a curiosity on how long a hearing device can last. How long they would last would depend on their type as well as how you take care of them. Recent studies will point that a regular hearing aid will have a lifespan of 5 years. As the technology is developing, so will this expected lifespan. The hearing aids of today are strong, durable, and reliable. Most of the time, these devices will be able to help you make the most out of your life. There might be challenges at first, but with the proper care, you can save your time and money. You can steer clear from expensive repairs by keeping this in mind.

I know you are thinking, “Why would I want you to set yourself on fire?” This is not about burning yourself literally. This is about lighting that flame within you to get moving. Set yourself on Fire!

Life happens to all of us. There are those days when we don’t feel like doing anything, or there are those days where we find ourselves going through the motions. It is not uncommon to find yourself without any energy, the drive to handle your daily tasks are gone, and you just want to give up. These feelings are natural, and they are okay. However what is not okay, is allowing yourself to stay in your feelings. It is also not okay to talk yourself into not doing anything. So how can you avoid this from happening?

Take some time to think about the worst case scenario. I know, we are told to always look at the light at the end of tunnel for some motivation. I agree. This approach works very well; I use it sometimes myself. However, today I want you to try something a little bit different. So we are going to do the exact opposite. I want you to think about your future that is hopeless, bleak, and all the happiness you once had is all gone. Family and friends have left you. You are all alone. Not only are you alone, but you are also in a financial rut where any sense of coming out of this seems nonexistent.

WOW! That is a scary place to be. I don’t think anyone wants to find themselves in this place. The sad part about this is that a lot people are on their way to this direction without even realizing it. The only way to avoid going to a place like this is to get up and to do something. That’s right, light that fire within you! If you find yourself in a place like this already, don’t worry it is not too late. You can turn your life around and start working towards a goal. This is setting yourself on fire.

It won’t happen overnight. However you have to remember Rome was not built in a day. I want you to set a date for change and commit to it. Rain or shine do not allow anything to get in your way. If you feel like you are alone during this process, you are not. We all have to make choices to change some habits, to do something different. Write the date out on your calendar, and circle it in red, and stick with it. This is your date. Let this serve as a motivator for you to start doing things that should have been done years, months, or even weeks ago. Mark this date down as a new beginning towards your future.

I want you to give yourself 21 days with this process. They say it takes 21 days to break an old habit and 21 days to form a new one. Give yourself time, and don’t be afraid to change your normal routine.

While diligently working to set yourself on fire, remember that it is also okay to take some time out for yourself. All work and no play is pointless. You are more likely to fail if you don’t enjoy and embrace the process. So find a hobby that you enjoy and make sure you give yourself time to invest in it. Likewise, spend time with loved ones. It is nothing more important than family and friends, especially if you have the ones that want to see you succeed. Let them know about your journey. Ask them to help you if you need them to. Lastly, don’t be afraid to fail. If you slip up, dust yourself off, and get back up. Again, embrace the process and enjoy the ride!

My friend, don’t lose sight of the end result. Life is going to continue to happen. Chances are the more progress that you make, the more negative things will try to come into your head. The devil does not attack those who are not doing anything. So stay focused, and strive to keep all distractions away. It really is not too late to obtain what it is you desire in life. Light that flame within you and set yourself on fire for the whole world to see!

To become what you want to be, you must do patiently what you want to do. It is a vision and a mission that must be followed through with. Sure, it is said that winning starts with beginning. But, winning ends and is completed with the “follow through” principle, which is a mission in itself. The only loss there is at all times is when genuine quitting and fearful avoidance happens. On this, I say sort of like Booker T. Washington: Have an open mind, never quit, create understanding within yourself and all things reasonable and unreasonable can genuinely be achieved.

To become a winner, you must not weaken or get fearful, you must practice courage even in the face of the worst temporary failure. For, temporary failure is just that, “temporary”. Without saying “fail forward” actively, I will say this: The best way to get the most understanding is to do “trial and error failure” until you understand fully how to be successful in the most genuine and expedient way.

So, when I say the words “visions and missions” in my title, they are code words. Like a plane is off course most of its flight and constant corrections are made to the course heading, so is your vision and mission in life until “you make it”.

I remember this man who everything seemed to go wrong, yet, somehow, he achieved what he wanted ultimately. For some, it is just the opposite, everything goes “right”, but still something is so missing that everything still “feels wrong”. So, I dare say again, to get what you want, you must patiently work, even when there does not seem to be “apparent fulfillment”. Any person can be clever. But a wise person is patient and tolerant of all situations in this way: Look at the silver lining in the worst and most rainy gray cloud. Some of the best rainbows come from those also.

Think creatively about problems, and about your mission, because to compete fearfully trying to get what you want “fast” only leads to disappointment. You arrive only with understanding and understanding creatively. I remember taking music theory classes with my old music teacher Julius Schmeckla for both guitar and piano. He always told me do not rush the knowledge, it will take, especially when you are patient and creative in your learning. I learned what he meant, and I know what he meant now especially. For, in this sense, life is as good as we make it. My older sister used to tell me life is as good as you make it and sensed that was what she meant before she died a few years ago, if she had have lived longer, it would have been wise advice. But, I am still alive to genuinely understand and use it, so I feel blessed with a vision and mission!

My name is Joshua Clayton, I am a freelance writer based in Inglewood, California. I also write under a few pen-names and aliases, but Joshua Clayton is my real name, and I write by that for the most part now. I am a philosophical writer and objective thinker and honest action taker. I also work at a senior center in Gardena, California as my day job, among other things, but primarily I am a writer.